Drainage system

ABSTRACT

A coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe includes a flange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange. A support member for supporting the sink has a drainage channel. Engagement structure secures the flange connector to the support member such that the drainage channel of the flange connector communicates with the drainage channel of the support member. A sink system and method for installing a sink are also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to sinks, and more particularlyto methods and apparatus for securing sinks to drain pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sinks can be secured to drain pipes by means of a number ofdifferent types of connections. These connections typically involvethreaded fittings which are secured to the sink from a position belowthe sink. Significant time and effort is usually required to install orreplace the sink. Sinks with ornamental designs made from differentmaterials have become popular. Glass and ceramic sinks in particular areprone to chipping, scratching and breakage, and must be replaced whensuch damage occurs. Even if such damage does not occur, many consumersmay wish to replace a sink for aesthetic purposes or to add accessoriesto the sink. Unfortunately, a significant amount of time is required tomake these replacements, particularly in large buildings and hotels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe includes aflange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange. Asupport member for supporting the sink has a drainage channel. Thesupport member also has connection structure for connecting to the drainpipe. Engagement structure is provided for securing the flange connectorto the support member such that the drainage channel of the flangeconnector communicates with the drainage channel of the support memberand the sink is secured between the flange connector and the supportmember.

[0004] The engagement structure can include cooperating threads on theflange connector and the support member. The support member can have amain body portion and an extension. The structure for connecting to thedrain pipe can be provided on the extension.

[0005] At least one gasket can be provided for sealing against leakage.A gasket can be provided between the support member and the sink. Agasket can be provided between the peripheral flange of the flangeconnector and the sink. The support member can include a recess in themain body portion for receiving the gasket. The gasket can be annularand has an interior opening that is dimensioned to permit passage of aportion of the flange connector that engages the support member. Thesystem can also include a mounting ring, which can be used to secure thesupport member 14 to a countertop.

[0006] A method for installing a sink includes the steps of connecting asupport member for supporting the sink to a drain pipe. The supportmember has a drainage channel and structure for connecting to the drainpipe. The sink is placed onto the support member and is supported by thesupport member. The sink has a drain opening which is positioned overthe drainage channel of the support member. A flange connector ispositioned over the sink and a portion of the flange connector isconnected to the support member. The flange connector has a peripheralflange which engages the sink so as to secure the sink to the supportmember when the flange connector is engaged to the support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] There are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown,wherein:

[0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a coupling system for a sink.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a sink system according to theinvention.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an alternative sink system inaccordance with the inventive arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] There is shown in FIG. 1 a coupling system 10 according to theinvention. The coupling system includes a support member 14 and a flangeconnector 18. A first gasket 22 and second gasket 26 can also beprovided.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 14 has a drainage channel30 and can have a shoulder 34 for supporting a sink 40. For purposes ofthe invention, a sink can be any type of suitable structure forreceiving and draining any suitable type of fluid such as water. Thesupport member 14 can have structure for engaging drain pipe 44. Anextension 48 can be provided with threads to engage cooperating threadson the drain pipe 44. In the embodiment shown, the extension 48 has malethreads 52 which can be adapted to engage cooperating female threads 56on an interior surface of the drain pipe 44. It is possible, however, todimension the extension 48 such that the drain pipe 44 fits within theextension 48, and in this embodiment the drain pipe 44 would be providedwith male threads and the extension 48 would be provided with femalethreads. Other structure for engaging the support member 14 to the drainpipe 44 is also possible, including various fittings adapted for thatpurpose.

[0013] The flange connector 18 can have a drainage channel 60. Theflange connector 18 has structure for engaging the support member 14.The flange connector 18 can be tubular and have male threads 64 whichengage cooperating female threads 68 on the support member 14, althoughother engagement structure is possible. The drainage channel 30 of thesupport member 14 can communicate with the drainage channel 60 of theflange connector 18 when the flange connector 18 is engaged to thesupport member 14 to permit water or other suitable fluids to flow fromthe sink, through the flange connector 18, the support member 14, andinto the drain pipe 44.

[0014] The flange connector 18 can also have a flange 72. The flange 72can extend about the periphery of the flange connector 18 and can bedimensioned such that it will not pass through the drain opening 78 ofthe sink 40. The flange 72 can press firmly against the sink 40 when theflange connector 18 is engaged and tightened to the support member 14.As such, the flange 72 can add to the watertight integrity of theengagement between the flange connector 18 and the support member 14. Inaddition, the flange can also increase the stability of the system 10once a sink 40 has been installed.

[0015] The flange connector 18 can also have structure for engagingdrain devices such as a drain hat (not shown). Alternatively, the flangeconnector 18 can support a pop-up drain plug (not shown). Male threads80 can be provided to engage female threads of the drain hat or drainplug to be coupled to the flange connector 18. An opening 84 in theflange connector 18 can be provided to permit water or any othersuitable fluid to flow from the sink 40 to the drainage channel 60.

[0016] It is preferable to seal the sink 40 against the support member14 to prevent leaks. The gasket 22 can be provided for this purpose. Thegasket 22 can be annular to allow the flange connector 18 to extendthrough the gasket 22 into the drainage channel 30 of the support member14. The gasket 22 can be made out of any suitable material such asrubber or silicone. In one embodiment, the support member 14 has a mainbody portion 86. A recess 88 can be provided in the main body portion86. The gasket 22 can be received by the recess 88 to secure the gasket22 in position. The gasket 22 should be dimensioned such that, when itis positioned in the recess 88, it can extend above the shoulder 34 sothat it will be partially compressed by the sink 40 when the flangeconnector 18 is tightened against the support member 14.

[0017] The flange 72 can be sealed against the sink 40 to prevent leaks.A gasket 26 can be provided and can be compressed between the flange 72and sink 40 when the flange connector 18 is tightened against thesupport member 14. Other sealing methods, such as the application ofcaulks and other sealants, are possible.

[0018] In operation, the support member 14 can be connected to the drainpipe 44. The gasket 22 can be positioned on the support member 14, suchas in the recess 88. The sink 40 can then be placed onto the shoulder 34of the support member 14, with the drain opening 78 substantiallyaligned with the drainage channel 30. The flange connector 18 can thenbe positioned through the opening 78 and into the drainage channel 30 ofthe support member 14. The flange connector 18 is then tightened to thesupport member 14, whereupon the flange 72 presses against the sink 40to secure the sink 40 in position against the support member 14. Thedrain device, such as a drain hat or pop-up drain plug, can then beconnected to the flange connector 18, as by threads 80.

[0019] Replacement of the sink is accomplished by removing the draindevice and disconnecting the flange connector 18 from the support member14. Alternatively, the flange connector 18 can be disconnected from thesupport member 14 without removing the drain device. The sink 40 canthen be lifted from the shoulder 34 of support member 14, and replacedwith another sink. The flange connector 18 is then reconnected aspreviously described. As such, the inventive arrangements permit theinstallation and removal of a sink 40 merely by coupling or decoupling asingle component (the flange connector 18) to or from a drain pipe.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows an alternative coupling system 10 withincontemplation of the inventive arrangements. Similar to the couplingsystem 10 described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the couplingsystem 10 shown in FIG. 3 can have a flange connector 18, a supportmember 14, a first gasket 22, a second gasket 26 and a drain hat (notshown) or a pop-up drain plug (not shown). In addition, the supportmember 14 of this particular arrangement can include a drain extension48. Although FIG. 3 illustrates the drain extension 48 and the supportmember 14 as a unitary piece, it mist be noted that the invention is notlimited in this regard; the drain extension 48 and the support member 14can be separate components, and the drain extension 48 can be detachablycoupled to the support member 14.

[0021] In one arrangement, the drain extension 48 can include malethreads 90 and can also include female threads 92. As shown in FIG. 3,the female threads 92 can be used to engage a drain pipe 44 havingcooperating male threads. Alternatively, the male threads 90 can be usedto engage a drain pipe 44 having cooperating female threads. Moreover,other structure for engaging the support member 14 to the drain pipe 44is also possible, including various fittings adapted for that purpose.

[0022] The coupling system 10 of FIG. 3 can also include a mounting ring94. The mounting ring 94 can include cooperating threads for engagingthe male threads 90 of the drain extension 48. In one arrangement, thesupporting member 14 can be placed on a countertop 96, which can includean aperture 98 for receiving the drain extension 48. The support member14 can also have a substantially flat bottom surface 100 to enable thesupport member 14 to rest on the countertop 96. A third gasket 102 canbe positioned between the bottom surface 100 and the countertop 96 toensure a proper fit. The third gasket 102 can be silicone, rubber or anyother suitable material. The mounting ring 94 can be used to secure thecountertop 96 to the support member 14. If desired, another gasket (notshown) can be positioned between the mounting ring 94 and the countertop96.

[0023] To install a sink 40, the drain extension 48 of the supportmember 14 can be inserted through the aperture 98 of the countertop 96.The support member 14 can rest against the third gasket 102. The drainextension 48 can then be secured to the drain pipe 44, and the mountingring 94 can be used to secure the support member 14 to the countertop96. Similar to the operation described in relation to FIG. 2, the gasket22 can be positioned on the support member 14, and the sink 40 can thenbe placed onto the shoulder 34 of the support member 14. The flangeconnector 18 can then be coupled to the support member 14, and the draindevice (not shown) can then be connected to the flange connector 18.Replacement of a sink can be in accordance with the procedure describedabove in relation to FIG. 2.

[0024] The components of the invention can be manufactured from standardplumbing materials, including metals and plastics. The invention can bemade in a variety of different styles and sizes without departing fromthe principals of the invention. In addition, this invention can beembodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essentialattributes thereof, and accordingly, reference should be had to thefollowing claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, asindicating the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupling system for securing a sink to a drainpipe, comprising: a flange connector having a drainage channel and aperipheral flange; a support member for supporting a sink and having adrainage channel and connection structure for connecting to a drainpipe; engagement structure for securing the flange connector to thesupport member such that the drainage channel of the flange connectorcommunicates with the drainage channel of the support member.
 2. Thecoupling system of claim 1, wherein said engagement structure comprisescooperating threads on said flange connector and said support member. 3.The coupling system of claim 1, further comprising a gasket for sealingsaid support member to a sink.
 4. The coupling system of claim 3,wherein said support member comprises a seat for said gasket.
 5. Thecoupling of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a main bodyportion having a shoulder for engaging a sink and an extensioncomprising said structure for engaging a drain pipe.
 6. The couplingsystem of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a main bodyportion having a shoulder for engaging a sink, and a seat for a gasket,said coupling system further comprising an annular gasket.
 7. Thecoupling system of claim 6, wherein said gasket seat comprises a recessin said main body portion, said gasket being dimensioned to fit withinsaid recess.
 8. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein said flangeconnector comprises a structure for engaging a drain device.
 9. Thecoupling system of claim 1, further comprising a gasket for positioningbetween said flange and the sink.
 10. The coupling system of claim 1,further comprising a mounting ring, wherein said mounting ring is usedto secure said support member to a countertop.
 11. The coupling systemof claim 1, wherein said flange connector comprises male threads, saidflange connector dimensioned to at least in part fit within saiddrainage channel of said support member, said male threads of saidflange connector engaging cooperating female threads on said supportmember.
 12. A method for installing a sink, comprising: providing asupport member having a drainage channel connecting said support memberto a drain pipe; positioning a sink on said support member; connecting aflange connector having a drainage channel and a peripheral flange tosaid support member, said drainage channel of said flange connectorcommunicating with said drainage channel of said support member, saidperipheral flange abutting said sink so as to secure said sink againstsaid support member.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising thestep of attaching a drain device to said flange connector.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising the step of positioning a gasketbetween said support member and said sink.
 15. The method of claim 12,further comprising the step of positioning a gasket between saidperipheral flange of said flange connector and said sink.
 16. A sinksystem, comprising: a sink having a drain opening; a support member forsupporting said sink and having a drainage channel; a flange connectorhaving a drainage channel and a peripheral flange; said flange connectorfurther comprising engagement structure for securing the flangeconnector through the drain opening of the sink to the support membersuch that the drainage channel of the flange connector communicates withthe drainage channel of the support member.